🐄 Livestock & Poultry

Livestock Industry in Region 7

Cattle, carabao, poultry, swine, goats, ducks, quail, and beekeeping across Central Visayas.

📊 Livestock Population Overview

🐔 Poultry 18M heads 🐷 Swine 1.2M 🐄 Cattle 420K 🐃 Carabao 185K 🐐 Goats 280K

Source: PSA/Livestock and Poultry Survey, 2023

🐄 Population Distribution

🐔 Poultry Segments

Native cattle in a Philippine farm settingCattle farming — Photo: Wikimedia CC BY-SA 3.0
🐄

Cattle Raising

Major Livestock

Industry Overview

One of the most important livestock activities. 420,000 head across the region. Negros Oriental and Bohol are top producers.

Cattle Population

ProvincePopulationPurpose
Negros Oriental155,000Beef & Draft
Bohol135,000Beef & Draft
Cebu110,000Beef
Siquijor20,000Beef & Draft
Total420,000

Source: PSA/Livestock Survey, 2023

🐄 Cattle by Province

Breeds Comparison

BreedOriginWeightBest ForPrice
SantanderCebu native200-300 kgDraft, heat tolerance₱35,000-45,000
Philippine NativeVarious180-280 kgHardy, low-input₱30,000-40,000
Brahman CrossImported genetics350-500 kgBeef, drought-resistant₱55,000-80,000
Texel CrossImported400-550 kgBeef, fast growth₱60,000-85,000
Jersey CrossImported300-400 kgDairy (low yield)₱50,000-70,000

Tip: For fattening, Brahman or Texel crosses grow faster. For draft, native breeds are more practical.

⚖️ Breed Weight & Price

Raising Systems

Pastoral System

Semi-intensive. Animals graze on communal pasturelands, sheltered at night. Low input cost: ₱100-150/head/day for supplemental feed.

Feedlot Design

Pen size: 4-5 sqm/head (10-15 head per pen). Flooring: Concrete with 2% slope for drainage, or compacted earth with rice hull bedding. Feed trough: 60 cm wide × 100 cm/head, concrete or wood. Water trough: 10 liters/head capacity, automatic refilling preferred. Shade: Roofed area (50% of pen). Drainage: Sloped floor → collection pit → biogas or compost. Fencing: 1.2 m high, bamboo or steel pipe. Setup cost: ₱3,000-5,000/head for complete facility.

Feedlot Operations

Commercial fattening for 3-6 months. Corn silage, rice straw, concentrate. Feed cost: ₱150-200/head/day. Target weight gain: 0.8-1.2 kg/day. Capacity: 10-50 head for small-scale, 100+ for commercial.

Feeding Guide (Fattening)

Feed ComponentAmount/Head/DayCost/Day
Corn silage8-10 kg₱40-50
Rice straw3-5 kg₱10-15
Concentrate2-3 kg₱60-90
Mineral salt50g₱5
Total Feed Cost₱115-160/head/day
💰 Daily Feed Cost Breakdown

💰 Fattening Economics

90-day program: Buy 200 kg stocker at ₱55,000. Feed cost: ₱135/day × 90 = ₱12,150. Sell at 300 kg × ₱230/kg = ₱69,000. Gross profit: ₱1,850/head. Scale to 20+ heads for meaningful income. Mortality risk: 2-5%.

Carabao (water buffalo) grazing in Palawan, PhilippinesCarabao, Palawan — Photo: Wikimedia CC BY 4.0
🐃

Carabao (Water Buffalo)

Major Livestock

Overview

185,000 head. Essential for rice cultivation. Used for draft power, dairy (Murrah crosses), meat (carabeef), and manure.

ProvincePopulation
Negros Oriental68,000
Bohol55,000
Cebu52,000
Siquijor10,000
Total185,000

Source: PSA/Livestock Survey, 2023

PHILCARBEP

Government program for dairy carabao development. Murrah × native crosses for milk, yogurt, cheese. Contact BAI-Region 7 for AI services.

Health Management

  • Vaccination: Hemorrhagic septicemia (June yearly), FMD (as scheduled)
  • AI services: Free via PHILCARBEP stations
  • Nutrition: 10-15 kg grass + 2 kg concentrate/day for dairy carabao

💰 Dairy Carabao Income

Murrah cross yields 4-6 liters/day. Milk price: ₱50-80/liter. Monthly income per head: ₱6,000-14,000. Higher than draft use but requires daily milking and better nutrition.

Free-range rooster and hen — backyard poultryBackyard poultry — Photo: Wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0
🐔

Poultry Production

Major Industry

Overview

Most commercially developed subsector. ~18 million total population.

SegmentPopulationKey Areas
Broilers8,500,000Cebu, NegOr
Layers3,200,000Cebu, NegOr
Native Chicken4,800,000All provinces
Ducks850,000Bohol, NegOr
Quail650,000Cebu, NegOr

Source: PSA/Livestock Survey, 2023

Commercial Broilers

Integrators (Bounty Fresh, San Miguel Foods) contract growing. 35-42 day cycles. Guaranteed buyer. Slaughter weight: 1.8-2.2 kg.

Native Chicken

"Manok Bisaya" — premium taste. ₱180-280/kg live weight vs. ₱65-85/kg broiler. Growing semi-intensive farming.

💰 Poultry Income

Broiler (100 heads): Chick cost ₱5,000 + Feed ₱15,000 + Medicines ₱1,500 = ₱21,500. Revenue: 100 × 2 kg × ₱75 = ₱15,000. Contract growing: ₱20-30 profit/chick. Native (50 heads): Lower input, higher margin per bird but slower growth (5-6 months to market).

Domestic pig on a farmSwine farming — Photo: Wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0
🐷

Swine Production

Major Industry

Overview

1.2 million head. Pork is the most consumed meat in the Philippines.

ProvincePopulationType
Cebu420,000Mixed
Negros Oriental380,000Mixed
Bohol320,000Mainly backyard
Siquijor80,000Mainly backyard

Source: PSA/Livestock Survey, 2023

🐷 Swine by Province
Backyard (~65%)

2-10 heads. Kitchen scraps + commercial feeds. Lower biosecurity. Vulnerable to ASF.

Commercial

100-5,000 head. Confinement, AI, precision feeding. Landrace, Large White, Duroc breeds.

Feeding Guide (Growing-Finishing)

StageWeightFeed/DayDays
Nursery10-25 kg0.8-1.2 kg35-42
Grower25-60 kg2.0-2.5 kg60-70
Finisher60-100 kg3.0-3.5 kg55-65

⚠️ ASF Prevention Protocol

Biosecurity Checklist
  • ✅ No visitors to piggery — ever. Zero tolerance.
  • ✅ Foot bath at entrance — 2% sodium hydroxide or chlorine
  • ✅ No kitchen scraps — cook feed for 30 min at 70°C minimum
  • ✅ No contact with other pigs — neighboring farms, wild pigs
  • ✅ Clean vehicles — disinfect before entering farm premises
  • ✅ Boot change — separate boots inside vs. outside piggery
  • ✅ Quarantine new pigs — 21 days before mixing with herd
  • ✅ Carcass disposal — burial (2m deep + lime) or incineration. NEVER sell dead pigs.

If you suspect ASF: Call BAI immediately: (02) 8928-1171. Do NOT move animals. Do NOT sell. Do NOT feed scraps to other pigs. Report to Municipal Veterinarian. There is NO vaccine and NO treatment — prevention is everything.

Other Health Concerns

  • ⚠️ Classical Swine Fever — Vaccinate at 3 months, booster annually
  • ⚠️ Rising feed costs — corn price directly impacts profitability
  • ⚠️ Heat stress — provide ventilation, sprinklers above 30°C
Goat rearing in a rural village settingGoat farming — Photo: Wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0
🐐

Goat Raising

Growing Sector

Overview

280,000 head. Primarily for chevon (goat meat). Some dairy emerging.

ProvincePopulation
Negros Oriental105,000
Bohol85,000
Cebu75,000
Siquijor15,000

Source: PSA/Livestock Survey, 2023

Backyard System

Tethered on pasture. Ipil-Ipil feed. 1-2 kids per kidding, 2 kiddings/year. Low input cost.

Feeding

Goats need 3-5 kg forage/day + 0.3-0.5 kg concentrate. Feed cost: ₱30-50/head/day. Browse species: ipil-ipil, leucaena, camote tops, madrecacao.

💰 Goat Income

Start with 3 does (₱15,000-25,000). Each produces 2 kids/year × 2 kiddings = 4 kids/doe/year. Sell kids at 4-5 months at ₱3,000-5,000/head. Annual revenue from 3 does: ₱36,000-60,000. Meat price: ₱200-280/kg dressed weight.

Opportunities

  • Growing chevon demand (Lechon de Leche)
  • Low initial investment vs. cattle
  • 6-8 months to market weight (25-30 kg)
  • Goat dairy emerging in Bohol and NegOr
🐟

Milkfish (Bangus)

Major Species

Overview

The most popular aquaculture species in Region 7. 18,000 MT annual production. Versatile — raised in ponds, pens, and cages. National fish of the Philippines.

Production Systems

Pond Culture

Traditional method. 0.5-2 ha ponds. Stocking: 5,000-10,000 fingerlings/ha. Harvest at 250-350g in 4-6 months. Feed: commercial pellets + natural food. Cost: ₱30,000-50,000/ha/crop.

Cage Culture

Higher density. 5x5x3 m cages. Stocking: 50-80 fingerlings/cage. Harvest at 250-350g in 3-4 months. Used in lakes and coastal areas. Feed cost: ₱150-200/fingerling to harvest.

Pen Culture

Enclosed shallow areas. 0.5-5 ha pens. Natural food supplementation. Lower feed cost but vulnerable to typhoons.

How to Raise Milkfish

Site Selection

Brackish water (15-32 ppt salinity). Tidal flow for water exchange. Away from pollution sources. Good soil for pond construction.

Stocking

Fingerlings: 2-3 inch (5-8 cm). Source from BFAR hatcheries or certified private hatcheries. Acclimate slowly (30-60 min floating bag method). Stock in early morning.

Feeding

Commercial bangus pellets (28-32% protein). Feed 3-5% of body weight/day, split into 2-3 feedings. Adjust based on consumption. Supplement with rice bran or duckweed in ponds.

Harvest

Harvest at 250-350g (6-8 months). Use seine nets or drain harvesting. Debone for boneless bangus: premium price ₱200-300/kg vs. ₱80-120 whole.

Products

  • Whole bangus: ₱80-120/kg — wet market staple
  • Boneless bangus: ₱200-300/kg — premium product, daing,relleno
  • Smoked bangus (Tinapa): ₱150-250/kg — traditional preserved product
  • Smoked dried bangus (Daing): ₱180-280/kg — shelf-stable

Economics

Pond (1 ha): Stock 8,000 fingerlings. Harvest 70% survival = 5,600 fish x 300g = 1,680 kg. At ₱100/kg = ₱168,000 gross. Cost: ₱80,000-100,000. Net: ₱68,000-88,000/ha/crop. 2 crops/year possible.

🦆

Duck Farming

Major Industry

Overview

850,000 ducks across Region 7. Bohol and Negros Oriental are the top producers. Ducks are raised for eggs (balut, salted egg, fresh duck eggs) and meat (peking-style, native duck).

Population by Province

ProvincePopulationMain Products
Bohol320,000Balut, salted egg, fresh eggs
Negros Oriental280,000Fresh eggs, dressed duck
Cebu180,000Fresh eggs, dressed duck
Siquijor70,000Fresh eggs, backyard
Total850,000

Source: PSA/Livestock and Poultry Survey, 2023

Varieties

  • Khaki Campbell: Best layer. 250-300 eggs/year. Popular for egg production.
  • Commercial White (White Pekin cross): Fast growth. Meat-type. 45-50 days to market.
  • Native Duck (Itik): Hardy, disease-resistant. Lower egg production but premium meat price.
  • Runner Duck: Good foragers. Pest control in rice paddies.

Raising Systems

Backyard (Scavenging)

Free-range during day, housed at night. Feed on snails, insects, rice bran. Low cost: ₱10-15/duck/day. 100-500 ducks typical. Egg production: 60-70%.

Semi-Intensive

Pond access + supplemental feeds. 1,000-5,000 ducks. Better egg production: 75-85%. Feed cost: ₱25-35/duck/day.

Commercial (Confined)

Indoor housing with controlled environment. 5,000+ ducks. Highest egg production: 85-90%. Feed cost: ₱30-40/duck/day.

Feeding Guide

StageAgeFeed/DayType
Duckling0-2 weeks20-30gStarter crumbles (22% CP)
Growing3-6 weeks50-80gGrower pellets (18% CP)
Layer18+ weeks120-150gLayer mash (16-18% CP)
Meat Duck4-7 weeks100-180gFinisher (16% CP)

🥚 Egg Products & Processing

🥚 Balut Production (Bohol's Specialty)

What: Fertilized duck egg incubated 14-18 days until embryo develops. Price: ₱8-15/pc retail. Process:

  1. Candle eggs: Use bright light to check fertility (80%+ should be fertile)
  2. Incubate: 37-38°C, 60-70% humidity, turn eggs 3x daily. Use forced-air incubator (₱15,000-30,000 for 500 eggs).
  3. Day 14-18: Check development — embryo should be visible. Day 17 is most popular (half-developed).
  4. Package: Wrap in newspaper, sell fresh or boil briefly (10 min) for longer shelf life.
  5. Sell: Roadside stalls, wet markets, balut specialty stores.

Tip: Bohol balut commands premium prices due to quality reputation. Margin: ₱5-8 profit per egg. 500 ducks x 200 balut eggs/month = ₱10,000-16,000/month additional income.

🧂 Salted Egg Processing

What: Duck eggs preserved in salt brine or charcoal-salt mixture. Price: ₱12-20/pc retail, ₱150-200/dozen. Two Methods:

  1. Brine method (faster): Dissolve 1 kg salt in 1 liter water. Submerge eggs in brine. Store in cool place 18-21 days. Wash and dry.
  2. Charcoal method (traditional): Mix equal parts charcoal dust and salt. Moisten slightly. Wrap each egg in mixture. Store 20-30 days. Wash and dry. Produces darker yolk, richer flavor.

Yield: 100 eggs → 100 salted eggs in 3 weeks. Profit: ₱5-8/egg. Shelf life: 1-2 months unrefrigerated.

🥚 Fresh Duck Egg Sales

Price: ₱10-15/pc (larger than chicken eggs — 70-80g vs 55-60g). Market: Wet markets, direct to consumers, baking supply stores. Packaging: Trays of 30 eggs. Tip: Fresh duck eggs are preferred by bakeries for leche flan and noodles — approach local bakers for bulk orders.

💰 Dried Salted Egg Yolk (Premium Product)

What: Salted egg yolks dried and cured — specialty ingredient for Chinese cuisine and pastries. Process: Separate yolks from salted eggs → air-dry or dehydrate → vacuum pack. Price: ₱200-300/kg (₱50-80/100g retail). Market: Chinese restaurants, pastry shops, online specialty stores. Export potential: Growing demand in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore.

💰 Economics

Income Comparison (500 ducks, layer flock)
ProductVolume/YearPriceGross Income
Fresh eggs100,000₱12/pc₱1,200,000
Balut (20% of eggs)20,000₱12/pc₱240,000
Salted eggs (15% of eggs)15,000₱15/pc₱225,000
Duck meat (culled birds)100 birds₱300/bird₱30,000

Feed cost: ₱30 x 500 ducks x 300 days = ₱4,500,000. Other costs: Housing, labor, vaccines = ₱500,000. Total cost: ₱5,000,000. Net income: ₱150,000-300,000/year (scale matters — profit margins improve with 1,000+ ducks). Key: Balut and salted eggs have higher margins than fresh eggs — diversify products!

Challenges

  • Duck viral hepatitis — vaccinate at 1 day old
  • Duck plague (erysipelas) — annual vaccination
  • Water quality management critical
  • Odor and waste management in confined systems
🐦

Quail Farming

Growing Sector

Overview

650,000 quail across Region 7. Primarily for egg production. Cebu and Negros Oriental are the main producers. Small footprint, high protein, fast returns.

Population by Province

ProvincePopulationPrimary Product
Cebu280,000Fresh quail eggs
Negros Oriental200,000Fresh quail eggs
Bohol120,000Fresh quail eggs
Siquijor50,000Fresh quail eggs
Total650,000

Source: PSA/Livestock and Poultry Survey, 2023

Varieties

  • Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica): Most common. 300-320 eggs/year. Small body (100-140g live weight).
  • Pharaoh: Slightly larger. Brown speckled plumage. Popular in Philippines.
  • Texan White: White shell eggs. Premium appearance. Growing market.

🏠 Housing Design & Construction

Battery Cage Design (Recommended)

Dimensions per unit: 100 cm long × 45 cm deep × 25 cm high per tier. Stack 3-4 tiers high. Floor: Galvanized wire mesh (12mm × 12mm) — allows droppings to fall through. Feed trough: Front-mounted, 10 cm wide × 100 cm long. Water: Nipple drinker or trough with drip tray. Egg collection: Sloped floor (8° angle) — eggs roll to front tray. Capacity: 20-25 birds per cage. Material cost: ₱500-800/cage unit. DIY build: Bamboo frame + galvanized wire mesh = ₱300-500/unit.

📐 Colony Cage Design (Budget Option)

Dimensions: 100 cm long × 60 cm deep × 40 cm high. Holds 40-50 birds. Floor: Bamboo slats (1 cm gap) or wire mesh. Roof: Corrugated GI sheet or tarpaulin. Feed trough: Wooden trough, front-mounted. Water: 1-liter bottle inverted with nipple. Drop pan: Tray underneath for easy cleaning. Cost: ₱200-400/unit (bamboo) or ₱800-1,200 (galvanized). Best for: 50-500 bird backyard operations.

🌡️ Ventilation & Environment

Ideal temperature: 18-25°C (quail lay best at 20-22°C). Ventilation: Cross-ventilation windows on both sides. In tropical climate: ensure airflow but avoid direct drafts. Lighting: 14-16 hours light/day for layers (install 2-5W LED bulb per cage). Dark period: Minimum 8 hours darkness for rest. Humidity: 50-65% — use ventilation or dehumidifiers if needed. Heat stress: Above 30°C, egg production drops. Use fans, wet curtains, or shade cloth.

💧 Feeding & Watering

Feed: Commercial layer mash (16-18% CP). 15-20g/bird/day. Cost: ₱3-5/bird/day (₱90-150/bird/month). Water: Clean, fresh daily. Nipple drinkers preferred (less contamination). Grit: Provide crushed oyster shell or limestone (5g/bird/week) for eggshell quality. Feed schedule: 2x daily (morning + late afternoon). Tip: Feed consumption = 40-50% of body weight per day.

🥚 Egg Collection & Grading

Collection: 2-3 times daily (morning, noon, evening). Handle gently — quail eggs are fragile. Egg size: 9-12g each (50-60 eggs = 500g). Grading: Sort by size: Large (>10g), Medium (9-10g), Small (<9g). Storage: Room temperature: 7-10 days. Refrigerated: 30+ days. Pointy end down. Packaging: Trays of 30 eggs. Grading table:

SizeWeightPrice/pcUse
Large>10g₱3.50-4.00Fresh market, restaurants
Medium9-10g₱2.50-3.00Street food, boiled eggs
Small<9g₱1.50-2.00Processing, salted eggs
🥚 Breeding Management

Sexing: Males have reddish-brown breast, females have speckled brown. Ratio: 1 male : 3-4 females for breeding. Incubation: 17-18 days at 37.5°C, 60% humidity. Turn eggs 3x daily. Hatching rate: 75-85% if fertile. Chick rearing: Brooder at 35°C first week, reduce 2°C/week. Starter feed for 3 weeks. Point of lay: 6-7 weeks. Peak production: Weeks 8-40. Cull at: 52-60 weeks (production drops below 70%).

Quail Egg Products

  • Fresh quail eggs: ₱2-4/pc retail. Pack in trays of 30.
  • Boiled quail eggs: ₱3-5/pc. Popular street food and snack.
  • Salted quail eggs: ₱4-6/pc. Preserved in salt brine. Year-round demand.
  • Quail meat: ₱150-250/kg dressed. Delicacy in some restaurants.

Economics

1,000 laying quail: 1,000 x 300 eggs x 85% = 255,000 eggs/year. At ₱3/egg = ₱765,000 gross. Feed cost: ₱4 x 1,000 x 300 = ₱1,200,000. Net income: ₱100,000-200,000/year. Startup cost: ₱30,000-50,000 (cages + 500 pullets at ₱30-50/bird). ROI: 6-12 months.

Challenges

  • Quail viral hepatitis — vaccinate at 1 week
  • Heat stress — provide ventilation in tropical climate
  • Egg breakage — proper cage design essential
  • Market fluctuation — prices vary ₱1.50-5/egg seasonally
🐝

Beekeeping (Apiculture)

Emerging Industry

Overview

Growing industry in Region 7. Honey production, pollination services, and value-added products (beeswax, propolis, royal jelly). Cebu and Bohol lead adoption.

Bee Species in Region 7

  • Apis mellifera (Western Honey Bee): Most productive. 20-40 kg honey/hive/year. Requires modern hive management.
  • Apis cerana (Asian Honey Bee): Native species. 5-10 kg honey/hive/year. Adapted to tropical climate. Disease-resistant.
  • Tetragonula biroi (Stingless Bee): Native stingless bee. 1-3 kg honey/hive/year. Premium honey ₱500-1,000/kg. Growing specialty market.

Major Areas

  • Cebu: Balamban, Asturias — Apis mellifera and stingless bee farms
  • Bohol: Carmen, Batuan — Apis cerana and stingless bee
  • NegOr: Valencia, Dumaguete highlands — Apis cerana

How to Start Beekeeping

🔧 Langstroth Hive Design (Apis mellifera)

Standard dimensions: 46.7 cm × 38.1 cm (outer dimensions). Components (bottom to top):

  1. Stand: 4 legs, 45-60 cm high. Keeps hive off ground. Cost: ₱500-1,000
  2. Bottom board: Entrance reducer, landing board. 5 cm × 30 cm entrance.
  3. Deep super (brood box): 10 frames. 24.4 cm high. Queen breeds here. NEVER harvest this honey.
  4. Queen excluder: Metal/plastic grid. Keeps queen in brood box.
  5. Medium super(s): 1-2 boxes. 16.8 cm high. 10 frames each. This is where honey is stored.
  6. Inner cover: Ventilation, insulation. Has feeding hole.
  7. Outer cover (telescoping): Metal-topped roof. Protects from rain.

Frame size: 44.8 cm × 23.2 cm (deep), 44.8 cm × 15.9 cm (medium). Foundation: Wax or plastic foundation sheets for bees to build comb. Total cost: ₱3,000-5,000 per complete hive. DIY: Philippine mahogany plywood = ₱1,500-2,500.

🐝 Stingless Bee Hive (Tetragonula biroi)

Log hive (traditional): Hollow log or coconut trunk, 30-40 cm diameter × 50-60 cm long. Cost: Free (if available) or ₱500-1,000. Modern box: 30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm wooden box with internal divisions. Propolis entrance tube. Cost: ₱1,000-2,000. Internal structure: Brood area (center), honey pots (sides), pollen pots (around brood). Harvest: Cut honey pots from box edges. Do NOT remove brood area. 1-3 kg honey/hive/year. Premium price: ₱500-1,000/kg — tastes tangy, fruity.

📍 Hive Placement Guide
FactorRecommendationWhy
FacingEast or SoutheastMorning sun warms hive, stimulates foraging
Height45-60 cm off groundPrevents flooding, ant access
ShadePartial shade (afternoon)Prevents overheating in tropical climate
WaterWithin 100 mBees need water for cooling and honey dilution
ForageWithin 3 km radiusBees forage up to 3 km from hive
Distance100+ m from livestockAvoids disturbance from animal smells
Flight pathUnobstructedBees need clear takeoff/landing path
📅 Management Calendar
MonthActivityNotes
Jan-MarBuild-up, early honey flowFeed sugar syrup if colony is weak
Apr-JunMain honey harvestHarvest after major nectar flow
Jul-SepSwarm season, Varroa checkInspect for queen cells, treat mites
Oct-DecBuild-up for next seasonFeed, combine weak colonies
🛠️ Essential Equipment
  • Bee suit + veil: ₱500-1,500 (protects from stings)
  • Smoker: ₱300-800 (calms bees during inspection)
  • Hive tool: ₱100-300 (prying frames apart)
  • Bee brush: ₱100-200 (gentle frame clearing)
  • Extractor: ₱5,000-15,000 (manual) or ₱20,000+ (electric) — can share among beekeepers
  • Strainer + bottling tank: ₱1,000-3,000
  • Wax foundation: ₱50-100/sheet (25 sheets per deep frame)
🐝 How to Harvest Honey
  1. Check readiness: 80%+ of cells should be capped (white wax covering)
  2. Choose timing: Late morning when most foragers are out
  3. Smoke hive: 2-3 puffs at entrance, then under inner cover
  4. Remove super: Brush off bees or use fume board (bee escape)
  5. Uncap cells: Use uncapping knife or fork to slice wax caps
  6. Extract: Place frames in extractor, spin to throw out honey
  7. Filter: Strain through 200-mesh sieve to remove wax particles
  8. Bottle: Pour into clean, dry bottles. Label with date and source

Yield: 2-5 kg/hive/harvest. 2-3 harvests/year. Important: Always leave enough honey for the bees — 2-3 kg minimum for colony survival.

Products and Value

  • Raw Honey: ₱300-800/kg (Apis mellifera), ₱500-1,000/kg (stingless bee)
  • Beeswax: ₱300-500/kg. Used in cosmetics, candles, food wraps.
  • Propolis: ₱2,000-5,000/kg. Herbal supplement, immune booster.
  • Royal Jelly: ₱5,000-10,000/kg. Premium health product.
  • Pollination Service: ₱500-1,000/hive/season. Contract for mango, coconut, vegetable farms.

Economics

5-hive starter (Apis mellifera): 5 hives x 30 kg honey/year = 150 kg. At ₱500/kg = ₱75,000/year gross. Startup cost: ₱25,000-35,000. Net income: ₱40,000-60,000/year. Stingless bee (10 hives): 10 x 2 kg = 20 kg. At ₱800/kg = ₱16,000/year. Lower volume but premium pricing.

Challenges

  • Varroa mite infestation (Apis mellifera)
  • Lack of beekeeping knowledge and training
  • Pesticide exposure from nearby farms
  • Climate change affecting flowering patterns

💉 Regional Vaccination Calendar

Essential vaccination schedule for Region 7 livestock. Always consult your Municipal Veterinarian.

MonthAnimalVaccine / TreatmentNotes
JanuaryCattle/CarabaoFoot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)Annual vaccination campaign
FebruaryPoultry (all)Newcastle Disease (La Sota)Backyard flocks — spray or drinking water
MarchSwineClassical Swine Fever (CSF)3 months old and above, booster annually
AprilGoats/SheepPPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants)Check with BAI schedule
MayAll ruminantsDeworming (Ivermectin)Pre-wet season. All cattle, carabao, goats.
JuneCattle/CarabaoHemorrhagic Septicemia (HS)Annual. Before onset of rains.
JulyPoultryNewcastle + Fowl PoxWet season — higher disease risk
AugustSwineASF Biosecurity AuditReview biosecurity protocols
SeptemberAll ruminantsDeworming (2nd round)Mid-wet season boost
OctoberGoatsDeworming + Vitamin supplementationPre-dry season conditioning
NovemberPoultryNewcastle Disease (booster)Year-end protection
DecemberAllAnnual health assessmentYear-end inventory + health check

Note: Schedules may vary. Contact BAI-Region 7: (02) 8928-1171 for updates.